SOL 4.6 Earth/Space Systems Weather
1. What is temperature?
The measure of thermal (heat) energy in the
atmosphere.
2. What is air pressure?
The weight of air. (air temperature is one factor that
determines this )
3. What kind weather does a high pressure system
bring?

Fair weather (heavenly weather)
4. What kind of weather does a low pressure
system usually bring?

Usually means cloudy or stormy weather,
rain, storms (lousy weather)
5. What is a front?
The boundary between air masses of different
temperature and humidity.
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6. What is a cold front?
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7. What is a warm front?
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8. Describe a cumulus
cloud.
9. Describe a
cumulonimbus cloud.
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They are fluffy and white with flat bottoms.
They usually indicate fair weather.
If they get darker they may produce
thunderstorms. (cumulonimbus)

A cumulus cloud is a cumulus cloud that gets
larger & darker
They may produce thunderstorms & extreme
weather
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10. Describe stratus
clouds.
Is formed when a cold air mass pushes into a
warm air mass
Includes drops in temperature & often
produces thunderstorms
Symbol
Is formed when a warm air mass pushes into
a cold air mass.
Brings slow change in weather, produces
light rain or snow, & overcast skies
Symbol
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They are smooth and gray.
They cover the whole sky. (block out direct
sunlight)
Light rain or drizzle may result.
11. Describe cirrus clouds.
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They are feathery.
They are associated with fair weather.
They often indicate that rain or snow will fall
within several hours.
12. What is precipitation?
13. What can extreme atmospheric conditions
cause?
14. What is weather phenomena?
15. Describe a: hurricane, tornado, &
thunderstorm:
16. Who gathers data and a variety of instruments
to predict weather patterns?
Rain, snow, sleet, or hail.
Thunderstorms
Hurricanes
tornadoes
A very unusual weather event.
Hurricane: A large tropical storm that forms over
warm water near the equator. Wind speeds can
reach 150 MPH.
Thunder storm: A storm with thunder, lightning, &
usually heavy rain or hail.
Tornado: A powerful column of winds spiraling
around a center of low pressure. It looks like a large
funnel hanging down from a storm cloud.
A meteorologist
17. What does a barometer
measure?
It measures air pressure.
18. What does an anemometer
measure?
It measures wind speed.
19. What does a rain gauge measure?
It measures the amount of precipitation.
20. What does a thermometer measure?
It measures the temperature (thermal energy) of
the air.